From Shaler, Pennsylvania, The Reverbs played across the entire Tri-County Pittsburgh area. Popular throughout their two year existence, the musical highlight for the band was competing in the Shaler High School talent show where they took home a second place finish. The Reverbs never recorded, but friend Dennis Wentz would go on to write the lyrics to the Castaways' garage rock classic, 'Liar Liar.' Drummer Kenn Farbacher shares his recollections on his one and only rock group.
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Kenn Farbacher Recalls The Reverbs
My interest in music goes way back to early childhood. My parents owned a late '40s/early '50s turntable AM/FM radio console. I was fascinated by the turntable and enjoyed the Big Bands as well as radio broadcasts. Around the age of 10, I began to acquire and collected LPs through a record of the month club. I still have most of the collection.
The Reverbs was the first and only band for me. We were all Shaler students. We formed in 1966. By we I mean myself on drums/some harmony and Bob Welker on lead guitar/vocals. We were soon joined by Ed Duss on guitar. We later added Dave Michalski on rhythm guitar, John "Jack" Wall on bass huitar/harmony, and Dave Hubstenburger on lead vocals. The Reverbs were together from 1966-1968. Bob joined the Marines, I joined the Army, Dave Michalski went to college and Jack and Dave were underclassmen.
Our repertoire was influenced by The Rolling Stones, James Brown and The Castaways. We played the Tri-County Pittsburgh area. Rock n Roll in Pittsburgh during the 1960’s was very popular and many bands emerged. Other local groups including The Wellingtons, The Silencers, The Shadows, and The Molly McGuires were active at that time. We competed in the Shaler High School Talent Show in 1967 and it was awesome; it was a highlight to all of us. We competed against The Wellingtons, who won in the Band category;The Reverbs and The Silencers shared second place. We alson competed in a battle of the bands, and I believe we finished third of 10.
We were our own managers; word of mouth, friends, family and our own interest developed our performances. We played at local firehall dances, Knights of Columbus, weddings, private parties, and other local clubs and businesses.
We worked with Dennis Wentz on the instrumental portion of the song 'Liar Liar." Bob Welker and Denny knew each other. Dennis Wentz was a guitarist who lived in Shaler. He wrote the lyrics to 'Liar, Liar'--later recorded by The Castaways. (Dennis later lived in Ohio). Other than change-ups or putting our own interest to a song, we did not record any of our music.
Late 1968 was the final time The Reverbs performed together. After the Army I had no serious interest in joining another band. Over the years I have had several requests to join a reorganized group or other requests in restarting a band. I still play the drums at home. My children and grandchildren have grown up hearing the sound, knowing the music, and enjoying the beat. They have all tried their style behind the drums; my son plays the guitar and now one of the grandsons has an interest in the guitar also. I currently have an automobile facility, which is my second passion.
I would not have missed the opportunity to perform with The Reverbs for anything. To this day there is a tiny empty spot. We knew how to play music together.
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